Leopard In Zambia Attacks Scandrol And Swanepoel Safaris PH

Published: August - 2008

In Zambia, you may already know that PH Doug Scandrol of Scandrol & Swanepoel Safaris (www.hunt-africa.com) had a close call with a leopard this past month. In case you haven't heard, he was attacked by a leopard in Mumbwa GMA the morning of June 30 when he was following up a leopard that a client had wounded the evening before. Seems the hunting team bumped into the leopard, which launched itself at Scandrol from a close distance. Despite shooting the animal in mid-air, Scandrol says it flew into him, biting him on the forearm and shoulder. Luckily, Scandrol had his shotgun wedged between him and the cat and was able to sit down and throw the leopard up and over himself using the shotgun as a lever. The cat died later at some distance from the attack, while Scandrol was evacuated to a hospital in Lusaka for treatment. Despite a number of bites to his arm and shoulder, he was not seriously hurt and has already returned to the field to guide clients.

When I contacted him the day of the attack, he was in good condition and taking antibiotics. This has absolutely no impact on the balance of my season. Really, I am fine. Just a bit chewed, Scandrol told The Hunting Report. He returned to the field the next day to finish guiding his client and planned to continue guiding the rest of the season.